The Boy Scouts in the Saddle

by Robert Shaler

"The Boy Scouts in the Saddle" by Robert Shaler is a fictional adventure story written in the early 20th century. The book follows the character Gustavus "Gus" Merrivale, a wealthy and somewhat arrogant young man, as he encounters a series of misadventures after being robbed by two hobos while delivering payroll money to his father's quarry. Along the way, he crosses paths with a group of Boy Scouts, leading to themes of camaraderie, adventure, and personal growth. At the start of the narrative, Gus Merrivale is introduced as he arrives in a small village and quickly brushes off the local Boy Scouts he encounters. After a brief conversation with the tavern landlord, he embarks on his drive to the quarry but finds himself in danger when two men ambush him, resulting in his capture and subsequent abandonment on a perilous ledge. As he grapples with his situation, he reflects on his previous disdain for the Scouts and his newfound respect for their skills, setting the stage for his character development and the unfolding adventure to recover his stolen car and money.